Lexical Summary
mehumah: Confusion, tumult, panic, discomfiture
Original Word:מְהוּמָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:mhuwmah
Pronunciation:meh-hoo-mah
Phonetic Spelling:(meh-hoo-maw')
KJV: destruction, discomfiture, trouble, tumult, vexation, vexed
NASB:confusion, panic, turmoil, disturbances, tumult, tumults
Word Origin:[fromH1949 (הוּם - noisy)]
1. confusion or uproar
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
destruction, discomfiture, trouble, tumult, vexation, vexed
Fromhuwm; confusion or uproar -- destruction, discomfiture, trouble, tumult, vexation, vexed.
see HEBREWhuwm
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
humDefinitiontumult, confusion, disquietude, discomfiture
NASB Translationconfusion (5), disturbances (1), panic (2), tumult (1), tumults (1), turmoil (2).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
— absolute
Deuteronomy 7:23 7t.; construct
1 Samuel 5:11;
Ezekiel 22:5; plural absolute 2Chronicles 15:5,
Amos 3:9; —
tumult, confusionAmos 3:9 (""oppression),disturbance, turmoil (opposed to peace) 2 Chronicles 15:5 ("" verb2 Chronicles 15:6), compareEzekiel 22:5;disquietude (of mind)Proverbs 15:16; especiallytumult & confusion, panic, as due to divine judgmentZechariah 14:13 compareEzekiel 7:7; also1 Samuel 5:9 and1 Samuel 5:11.
discomfiture, (due to ) in war1 Samuel 14:20 (compare1 Samuel 14:15;1 Samuel 14:22);Deuteronomy 7:23 (accusative of congnate meaning with verb with q. v.),Deuteronomy 28:20 ("" , ); compare1 Samuel 22:5 ("" , )a day of discomfiture & down-treading & confusion.
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Emphasesמְהוּמָה carries the idea of confusion, panic, tumult, unrest, or terror that unravels normal order. Whether sent directly by the LORD or arising within a sinful society, the word consistently depicts a sudden, disorienting disturbance that exposes human frailty and divine sovereignty.
Canonical Distribution
• Torah (2x) –Deuteronomy 7:23; 28:20
• Former Prophets (3x) –1 Samuel 5:9; 5:11; 14:20
• Writings (2x) –2 Chronicles 15:5;Proverbs 15:16
• Major Prophets (4x) –Isaiah 22:5;Ezekiel 7:7; 22:5;Zechariah 14:13
• Minor Prophets (1x) –Amos 3:9
The occurrences cluster around national judgment scenes, covenant curses, and eschatological warfare, underscoring a thematic unity: God disrupts rebellion with divinely ordained chaos.
Roots in the Covenant Blessings and Curses (Deuteronomy)
At Israel’s entry into Canaan, מְהוּמָה is promised both as an instrument of conquest and as a potential covenant curse.
• Victory: “The LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed.” (Deuteronomy 7:23). Israel’s enemies are destabilized by supernatural panic, affirming that victory rests on the LORD, not military might.
• Warning: “The LORD will send on you curses, confusion, and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed…” (Deuteronomy 28:20). The same power that defended Israel could just as surely discipline her, reinforcing covenant accountability.
Historical Narratives: The Ark in Philistia and Saul’s Exploit
1 Samuel paints two vivid pictures:
• Philistine Cities (1 Samuel 5:9, 11) – When the ark is captured, “a very great panic” and “deadly panic” sweep through Ashdod and Ekron. The foreign gods cannot shield their people from Yahweh’s holiness, and the panic drives the rulers to send the ark away.
• Philistine Camp (1 Samuel 14:20) – Jonathan’s secret raid sparks divine confusion: “the Philistines were in total confusion, striking each other with their swords.” Here מְהוּמָה weakens the foe without Israel expending strength, magnifying grace amid human weakness.
National Instability in the Monarchy Era (2 Chronicles 15:5)
During the reforms of Asa, the chronicler recalls a prior season when “the residents of the lands had many conflicts.” The term frames social breakdown as the inevitable fruit of abandoning the LORD (cf.2 Chronicles 15:3). Spiritual renewal is presented as the antidote to societal turmoil.
Wisdom Literature
Proverbs 15:16 offers an individual application: “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil.” Here מְהוּמָה contrasts inward peace that flows from reverence with the agitated lifestyle that often accompanies wealth without godliness. The verse models how covenant principles govern personal ethics, not merely national destinies.
Prophetic Oracles of Doom
Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Zechariah invoke מְהוּמָה to portray divine judgment:
•Isaiah 22:5 sees “a day of tumult, trampling, and terror” upon Jerusalem when trust shifts from God to military engineering.
•Ezekiel 7:7; 22:5 announce coming “panic” for a defiled land and an infamous city, demonstrating that exile is not random political misfortune but heaven-sent upheaval.
•Amos 3:9 calls pagan nations to witness Samaria’s “great unrest,” an invitation to see covenant justice in action.
•Zechariah 14:13 projects a future “great panic from the LORD” that will dissolve hostile coalitions during the climactic deliverance of Jerusalem.
Theological Significance
1. Divine Sovereignty: מְהוּמָה never appears as blind chance; it is either sent or allowed by God to accomplish redemptive purposes.
2. Covenant Fidelity: Blessing or turmoil hinges on faithfulness. The word functions as both promise and warning.
3. Eschatological Hope: Even when מְהוּמָה engulfs nations, God’s people are reminded that the turmoil prepares the stage for ultimate salvation (Zechariah 14).
4. Moral Dimension: Turmoil reflects inner disorder. Whether a city’s oppression (Amos 3:9) or an individual’s greed (Proverbs 15:16), spiritual rebellion breeds chaos.
Ministry Applications
• Preaching: Use passages such asDeuteronomy 28:20 andZechariah 14:13 to underscore that societal chaos often has spiritual roots, directing listeners to repentance and reliance on Christ, who bears the curse for us (Galatians 3:13).
• Pastoral Care:Proverbs 15:16 counsels contentment and reverence over material ambition that leads to internal turmoil.
• Intercession: When communities experience disorder, prayer may invoke God’s mercy to replace מְהוּמָה with shalom, appealing to promises of divine restoration (Isaiah 32:17).
• Discipleship: Teach believers to interpret world events through a biblical lens, discerning between natural consequences of sin and the sovereign hand guiding history toward redemption.
Summary
מְהוּמָה serves as a biblical spotlight on the disorder that erupts whenever human pride collides with divine holiness. It warns, awakens, disciplines, and ultimately directs hearts back to the LORD, who alone can calm every storm—national, communal, or personal.
Forms and Transliterations
הַמְּהוּמָֽה׃ הַמְּהוּמָה֙ המהומה המהומה׃ וּמְה֥וּמָה ומהומה מְהֽוּמַת־ מְהוּמָ֖ה מְהוּמָ֣ה מְהוּמָ֨ה מְהוּמָה֙ מְהוּמֹ֣ת מְהוּמֹ֤ת מהומה מהומת מהומת־ ham·mə·hū·māh hammehuMah hamməhūmāh mə·hū·māh mə·hū·maṯ- mə·hū·mōṯ mehuMah məhūmāh mehumat məhūmaṯ- mehuMot məhūmōṯ ū·mə·hū·māh umeHumah ūməhūmāh
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